Alpena’s senior superstars

Jore, MacArthur earn Alpena Athlete of the Year honors

Jonny Zawacki

Sports Writer

jzawacki@thealpenanews.com

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki
Emma Jore and Lars MacArthur were recognized for their athletic accomplishments on Monday during the senior athletic award banquet held at the APlex as the two Wildcats were awarded 2018 Alpena High School Female and Male Athlete of the Year.

Emma Jore and Lars MacArthur have experienced similar journeys during their athletic careers at Alpena High School.

On Monday, the two Wildcats were recognized for all of their accomplishments on and off the field as they were named 2018 Female and Male Athletes of the Year at the school’s senior awards banquet at the APlex.

Both Jore and MacArthur competed in sports year round at Alpena and have been standouts and leaders for their respective teams. Nothing came easy for the two as they worked hard and adjusted to multiple coaching changes during their careers. Despite the changes, the two athletes continued to lead by example and excel.

“It’s always tough when there’s so many prominent athletes. Watching Lars play and to see how he adjusted throughout his career I was really impressed with him. He is what high school athletics is all about as is Emma,” Alpena Athletic Director Tim Storch said. “Both are multisport athletes, both are devoted to the time and season at hand and the excel during that particular time. Emma has made an impact on every team in every sport. Any sport she attempted, she excelled at and that’s what you want to see. It’s really good to see people like Lars and Emma who are honored for their dedication to multiple sports. Both of them were also very good role models and leaders for their classmates and fellow athletes.”

Jore put together a storied career as she was a four-year varsity basketball player, played soccer for a year and has ran track for three years.

“Since I was in third grade I have always wanted this award, so coming into high school I tried to be a multisport athlete and do anything to help myself. I couldn’t have done it without all of my teammates and it means a lot for not just me, but my teammates as well,” Jore said. “I was surprised to get the award because the other nominees were such great athletes. It felt overwhelming and I was just really honored when I heard my name called.”

In her one year of soccer, Jore earned 2015 Rookie of the Year honors and she tied the school record for most goals in a game during that same year.

On the track, she was the team’s Most Valuable Sprinter in 2016 and 2017. Jore was an All-Big North Conference medalist in the 100, 200 and 400 dashes.

Jore was among the top players in the area and Big North Conference in basketball and developed into a star during her senior season. Despite a few coaches changes during her basketball career, Jore continued to work on her game. Jore spent her first season under Dan Arsenault and then her next two seasons under co-coaches Steve McCourt and Kelley Miko, before current head coach Erin Andrews took over and coached Jore during her senior season.

“Whenever there was a coaching change, I knew I had to come in and impress them. and start all over again. It is hard to show them what you got all over again, but all of my coaches were really great for me,” Jore said. “Coach Andrews helped me develop as a person and as a player so I really thank her a lot.”

During her junior season on the court, Jore established herself as one the top players on a balanced Wildcat roster. She was a a team captain as junior and earned team Offensive and Defensive MVP honors and was a second team all-area selection.

Jore took her game to a new level this past season and was named to the all-Big North first team, first team All-Alpena News team and was a BCAM Outstanding Senior Athlete Award in basketball.

MacArthur has also excelled at every sport he has competed in while wearing the green and white.

MacArthur played three years of varsity baseball, hockey and football. He received an all-conference honorable mention for hockey and football this past season. He was also a three year starter on the baseball team and was an all-conference selection as an infielder during his sophomore and junior seasons.

“It’s just an incredible honor. I can’t thank my coaches and teammates enough for being there every step of the way during my high school career. From being a young sophomore on varsity teams and learning from all of the leaders that came before me, they really taught me a lot of things and I truly believe that’s what led me to my success in high school sports,” MacArthur said. “Paying attention not only on the field, but in the classroom and working hard in both areas, it’s nice to see it pay off and it’s just an incredible honor to get this award and I feel blessed.”

MacArthur is the teams starting shortstop and spends time on the mound. He has hit over .300 in his first two seasons and is currently hitting over .300 this year.

MacArthur was a key member of several talented hockey teams and was always on a first or second line throughout his career.

On the football field, MacArthur was a three-year starter at quarterback and experienced a coaching change after a tremendous sophomore season. MacArthur put up stellar numbers in then head coach Brad Moughon’s spread offense. Current head coach Aaron Sims was hired and brought his run heavy, Wing-T offense and MacArthur adjusted to a new role as a junior and senior, but continued to excel.

“New coaches come in and take over the reigns and do what they believe in necessary to win ball games and it really taught me to be a team player and I don’t look back and regret any of it. I am blessed for all of my coaches and playing in different systems and I think it taught me lessons about the game,” MacArthur said. “I had a lot of great coaches that put a lot of faith in me and really believed in me and knew I had potential. I’ll remember every season I had with every teammate and will cherish the memories forever. I just would like to thank the community and the boosters, all of my coaches, teammates present and from the past that have gotten me this far and help me get this award. It’s just an incredible honor.”